We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

If you are looking for a characterful and relaxing haven in great scenery far from the madding crowd then Cortijo la Solana would be a good choice. We stayed as a family of four in Casa Grande for 10 days in July ’17 and didn’t want to leave. The location was ideal for us – about an hour from Malaga airport into the hills, but a world away from the Costa tourist conurbations.

You will need a car. (We used Hertz from Malaga airport- easy access. They didn't have the model we booked, but we ended up with a no cost upgrade. Tip: as many smaller town and village streets are pretty narrow it's probably best to avoid big wide car).

The place is at the end of a long road/track past fields and small goat farms up on the side of a hill and is part of a smallholding run by British couple David and Diane. Casa Grande is actually connected to their home, but the holiday home and pool area are well separated using thoughtful design by walls and a high Spanish walled gate and we didn’t feel intruded upon at all. Diane has done a great job planting and landscaping with vines, figs, jasmine and bougainvillaea. Waking up to a view of a few donkeys and alpaca to the rear, or far distant mountains to the south, or the unique Sierra del Torcal mountain directly above to the west was lovely. It is far from neighbours and traffic, so aside from the occasional bird and animal sounds (including goat bells) we had complete peace and quiet. As there was no one in the smaller Casita we had the place to ourselves.

The décor is typical old farmhouse with exposed stone, wooden floors upstairs, terracotta tiles downstairs and in the bathrooms. Each room has its own character with thick walls, a thoughtful artsy feel throughout; well adorned with pictures and their own ceramics and Diane’s alpaca felting pieces. The bedrooms are spacious, each with a double bed and ensuite. The master bedroom is particularly large. Most windows have wooden shutters as well as curtains, which effectively shut out the light (easy to oversleep!) and help keep the house cool.

We had outside temperatures in the high 20s to mid-30. Got pretty hot, but the house remained comfortably cool and there are fans if needed. There was often a cooling mountain breeze. Outside you have commanding views from the front raised patio past and pool area. The pool has a long shallow end and steps in one corner. We all had fun in the pool.

David and Diane were very helpful with local knowledge, hints, tips and advice; we even had some of their home grown tomatoes and aubergines. They are well travelled and clearly experienced in running their business, though we felt more like we were staying with some distant relatives than total strangers. They have three very tame and soft dogs, which we loved, but if you are not keen they can be kept out. Can’t promise the same for the swifts, Beecatchers, peacocks and sunset bats.

Location-wise Villanueva de la Conception is the local small town about 5 mins away (most of the journey is down the access road to the home). The town is a pretty and fairly sleepy place with a few small squares, tapas bars, small shops, small supermarket, bank, petrol station, small leisure centre. We had a great takeaway from the pizza restaurant.

We used our 10 days to relax in the pool and take trips out. About 10 minutes drive north is the Torcal mountain nature reserve with visitor centre, restaurant and walking trails to see its strange wind-carved stonework and commanding views. Well worth a visit. About 20 mins drive north is Antequera – a gem of a town with lots of ancient history, many churches, roman ruins, strong moor influence, lovely colonial architecture and three ancient neolithic dolmens. (Look it up). We ate and shopped here a number of times. There is a good Lidl and Carrefour on the outskirts for a ‘big’ shop, plus lots of shops and restaurants in the older part of town. A walk up to the hill fort overlooking the town gives a great view of the town and surrounding plains. You'll have fun following sat nav though its lovely old, narrow and hilly cobbled streets!

We visited Lobo Park – a wolf park about 25 mins away behind El Torcal. Very interesting and educational. Ronda is about 2 hours west: definitely a must-see destination and the last hour of the journey is particularly scenic. We also ventured east skirting Granada and the Sierra Nevadas to the Alpujarras hills and its sleepy white painted mountain villages. Great scenery and windy mountain roads; needs a full day. We didn’t get chance to see the Caminito del Rey gorge walk (look it up) as you need to book well ahead. We did though go for an evening meal on return from Ronda at the Restaurante El Mirador Ardales (near the set off point for the Caminito). Great food and lovely sunset views over the lake below.

Don’t expect the locals to speak English. Our Spanish is not great and being far from the main tourist drags we had some real fun communicating in shops, bars and restaurants. Look out for the set priced daily menu in restaurants, generally 3 courses for 10-15 euro.

All in all a terrific holiday – peace and quiet, freedom, great hosts and miles away from the concrete jungle tourism machine. We'd like to return in springtime or winter, just to see the changing scenery.

​

Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
Yes.

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Management Response

4 Aug 2017

Thanks very much Neil & Susan ,we enjoyed having you share our little bit of Andalusia .It's very refreshing to have such appreciative guests who like the delights of the Spanish countryside so much . P.s. Thanks for the Welsh cakes , they were delicious !!

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Our experience of La Solana was fabulous.Beautiful mountain air, magnificent views and tranquility. Authentic Spanish build, characterful furnishings, hidden away, yet not too inaccessible. Good size, natural spring water swimming pool. Loads of interest in close proximity. David & Diana were perfect hosts - not there when you needed privacy but always available to answer queries or help in any way. It's a don't miss.

How easy was it to book the property?

How helpful were the directions to the property?

How easy was key pickup/access to the property?

Overall condition of the property

Bedding & mattresses

Kitchen & utensils

Bathroom cleanliness

Other facilities & amenities

Service

Liked best:Hard to say, it was all very good. Great beds, the views, the pool, the animals, David & Diana

Liked least:Having to leave.

Travelling group:Extended Family

Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
Yes.

Recommended for:

Friends getaway

People with disabilities

Older travelers

Families with young children

Large groups

People with pets

Was the property as advertised?

Would you recommend the location of this property?

Was it a good value for the price paid?

Did the property offer wi-fi/internet access?

Was your security deposit returned on time?

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Management Response

19 Jun 2016

Thanks very much David. We enjoyed having you share our little bit of Andalucía , very much looking forward to seeing you again.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

We rented the Cortijo, the larger of the two rental properties on the site. The owners also live in the Cortijo, but their residence is kept separate by an archway, gate and wall. Access to the property is along a track that winds its way across farm fields from the main road. It took us - driving tentatively and carefully - around 10 minutes to drive the track to the main road since the surface is uneven and in places the road has been washed out. We didn't rent a 4WD, but we felt that having one would be an advantage both for access and in the local area.

The farmhouse has a commanding view of the surrounding countryside; the plateau of El Torcal to the north and great vistas down to the coastal cities of Malaga and Torremolinos some 35km to the south. We all spent a long time simply taking in the views.

The farmhouse itself suited our extended family - each of the three bedrooms has its own bathroom and shower and for most of our stay in June, the rooms stayed at a pleasant temperature. For the majority of our stay, there was a breeze, or wind, that cooled things off. We loved having the pool which made up for its small size by being surprisingly deep at one end. We also enjoyed making friends with the owners dogs and the menagerie of farm animals kept in the enclosures behind the house.

The hosts, David and Diana were absolutely perfect hosts and wonderful to us all during our stay. On arrival they provided wine and a few locally made products. We were lucky to find some basic foodstuffs in the fridge and larder that kept us going until we could shop in Villanueva de la Conception, the nearest town.

There are untethered dogs at neighbouring farms, so we had to drive very carefully on the track up to the Cortijo. The dog situation probably dissuaded us from doing as much walking in the immediate vicinity of the Cortijo as we would have liked.

How easy was it to book the property?

How helpful were the directions to the property?

How easy was key pickup/access to the property?

Overall condition of the property

Bedding & mattresses

Kitchen & utensils

Bathroom cleanliness

Other facilities & amenities

Service

Liked best:The setting and views. Great hosts.

Liked least:Access track from road was tricky. Untethered dogs at local farms

Travelling group:Extended Family

Your age range35-49

Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
Yes.

Recommended for:

Friends getaway

Families with young children

Was the property as advertised?

Was it a good value for the price paid?

Was this review helpful? Yes

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC